Centrifugal pump



p 1941- E. M. GREENLEE ET AL 2,257,673

CENTRIFUGAL PUMP Filed Jan. 14, 1941 2 Sheets-Sheet l INVENTORS. Eli M. Greenlee.

. BY fl vin Crostkwaifi.

pt. 30, 1941. E. M; GREENLEE gm 2 257,678

CENTRIFUGAL PUMP Filed Jan. 14, 1941 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTORS. Z'l M. Green lee. BYflCvin Crostkuaii'.

Patented Sept. 30, 1941 2,257,678 CENTRIFUGAL PUMP Eli M. Greenlee and Alvin Crosthwait, Newport, Ky.

Application January 14, 1941, Serial No. 374,366

3' Claims.

This invention relates to a centrifugal pump.

An object of the invention is to provide a centrifugal pump'having an impeller of spiral formation of body and related features which give to the pump extraordinary suction and ejection properties, beyond those usually found in a pump of similar size.

Another object is to provide a pump of this kind adapted for highly eflicient operation in a non-submerged position and, in fact, in which the liquid to be moved may be drawn in by the suction of the pump over a considerable distance.

Another object is to provide a centrifugal pump adapted to be operated at low motive power as compared with the results achieved.

Another object is the provision of a pump of this kind of very simple and sturdy construction resulting in low initial cost and maintenance and ease of assembly.

These and. other objects are attained by the means described herein and illustrated in the accompanying drawings, in which:

Fig. 1 is a side elevational view of the centrifugal pump of this invention, mounted, and having associated therewith, suitable motive and conduit means, the latter being shown in fragmental form.

Fig. 2 is a cross-sectional View of the pump taken, longitudinally of its drive shaft axis.

Fig. 3 is a View takenon line 3-3 of Fig. 1.

Fig. 4 is a view taken on line 4-4 of Fig. 1.

Fig. 5 is a view taken on line 55 of Fig. 1, the pump casing being shown in cross-section.

Fig. 6 is a detail side view of the impeller of the pump.

In greater detail and with reference to the drawings:

The centrifugal pump of this invention is of generally circular form and may comprise a casing formed with a base member 8 and a cover member 9, both of said members being formed with registering ears 39 adapted to receive securing bolts I whereby the casing members are held together.

It will be seen in Fig. 2 that the gasket II is interposed between the said two members around their periphery. The base member 8 may have formed integrally therewith the sleeve with a grease or lubricating connection I4 (Fig. 55

2). Strengthening ribs I may likewise be formed integrally with the base memberjB.

The cover member 9 has legs I6 formed there? on and adapted to be bolted, as at IT, to a pair of angle strips I8 which form a convenient base for the complete um't involving this invention. The cover member 9 is formed with a central inlet port I9 and an outlet port formed on the periphery of the casing in a flattened area 2| thereof, seen'in Figs. 3, 4 and 5. Suitable inlet and outlet connections 22 and 23, respectively, are associated with the inlet and outlet ports.

The impeller forming part of this invention comprises a rear or base plate 24 having a spiral wall 25formed thereon and providing a spiral channel for liquid introduced into the casing. It will be seen in Fig. 5 that the spiral wall extends around the major portion of the periphery of the rear or base plate 24 and thence, as at 26, extends spirally and inwardly of the plate 24 to form the channel mentioned. The peripherally disposed portions of the spiral wall 25 have formed thereon the fins 21 whose outer ends closely approach the adjacent casing-wall up to the point where the latter flares towards the outlet port 23. I

A front or cover plate 28 (Figs. 2 and 6), of substantially the same configuration as the rear plate 24, is disposed upon the outer edges of the spiral wall 25 and held in this position by a pair of lateral 1ug s'29 which lie against the outer face of the spiral wall 25 and are suitably bolted thereto. The cover plate 28 is formed with a central inlet aperture 30 which registers with i the inlet port I9 of the cover 9 of the casing. A

small arm 3| (Fig. 2), which may be formed integrally with the cover plate 28, projects into the central restricted area of the spiral channel 24 at a point preferably opposite the inner opening of the spiral channel. It may be noted at 32 (Fig. 2) that the main fins 21 of the impeller project forwardly, beyond the front edges of the spiral wall 25, a distance equivalent to the thickness of the cover plate 28, so that said parts lie in a common plane.

A drive shaft 33 (Fig. 2) projects through the sleeve I2 and base member 8, into the casing, and has its inner end secured, as by the use of a countersunk pin 34, to the rear plate 24 of the impeller. For this purpose, the center of said plate may, as seen at 35 (Fig. 2), be made of somewhat greater thickness than the remaining portions of the said rear plate. The outer end of the drive shaft 33 may be suitably coupled, as at 34, with the armature shaft 35 of an rotatory direction of the main fins 2T.

electric motor 36. The latter may be conveniently mounted on the same angle members l8 upon which the pump itself is mounted.

In operation, the impeller is rotated in a clockwise direction, as indicated by the arrow in Fig. 5. The peculiar formation of the impeller, including the small fin 3|, creates a powerful suction which draws the liquid to be moved into the casing inlet and thence into the central portion of the spiral channel. Upon leaving the latter at the outlet portion (indicated at 3T, Fig. 5), the liquid is acted upon by the main fins 2'! of the impeller and is carried toward the outlet port 26 of the casing. It will be seen in Fig. '5 that an inwardly projecting lip 38 may be provided adjacent the outlet port 23 to preclude a return circulation of the liquid acted upon. The

action of the spiral channel, with the impeller turning clockwise, is to condition the flow of the introduced liquid, and to render the flow thereof'similar or complementary to the plane and In this connection it will be noted that the inlet and the outlet ports of the casing are, disposed substantially at right angles to one another. Therefore, the flow of liquid through the inlet port is substantially at right angles to the flow of liquid out of the outlet port. The spiral portions of the impeller function as a change-of-direction' medium, serving to neutralize, as it were, the initial flow of liquid so that it is not necessary for the main fins 21 to act immediately up on liquid moving in a contrary, or at least nonsimilar, direction.

The liquid is ejected from the casing with. extraordinary force and may be made to carry for a considerable distance by use of narrow diameter conduits. The pump may, nevertheless, be operated by the use of relatively low motive power. For example, for a pump adapted for very general usage, a H. P. motor may be utilized.

Various modifications will suggest themselves upon consideration of the means herein disclosed.

These are believed to be comprised within the mounted in the casing and comprising a circular base, a wall extending around the greater portion of the periphery of the base and thence proceeding inwardly and curved around the central portion of the base to form a central, relatively restricted area and a single, relatively large, uninterrupted and substantially circular channel communicating therewith and providing egress only at the outer end thereof, a cover positioned over said wall and centrally apertured for admitting liquid into said central area, and fins projecting outwardly of the peripherally-disposed portions of said wall'arid adapted to act upon the liquid proceeding from said channel egress to carry the same to the outlet.

7 2. A centrifugal pump comprising a casing having an inlet and an outlet port, an impeller mounted in the casing and comprising a circular base, a wall extending around the greater portion of the periphery of the base and thence proceeding inwardly and curved around the central portion of the base to form an uninterrupted channel providing egress only at the outer end thereof, a cover positioned over said wall and centrally apertured for admitting liquid into the central portion of said-channel, fins projecting outwardly of the peripherally disposed portions of said wall and adapted to act upon the liquid proceeding from said channel egress and to carry the same to the outlet, and an arm projecting into said central area from the upper portion of the impeller to retard swirling action of liquid therein.

3. A centrifugal pump comprising a casing having an inlet and an outlet port, an impeller mounted in the casing and comprising a circular base, a wall extending around the greater portion of the periphery of the base and thence proceeding inwardly and curved around the central portion of the base to form a central, relatively restricted area and a single, relatively large, uninterrupted and substantially circular channel communicating therewith and providing egress only at the outer end thereof, a cover positioned over said wall and centrally apertured for admitting liquid into said central areagfins projecting outwardly of the peripherally-disposed.

5 portions of said wall and adapted to act upon ELI M. GREENLEE. ALVIN CROSTHWAIT. 

